Community Life Research Articles

Microbial central carbon metabolism in a tidal freshwater marsh and an upland mixed conifer soil under oxic and anoxic conditions.

The central carbon (C) metabolic network is responsible for most of the production of energy and biosynthesis in microorganisms and is therefore key to a mechanistic understanding of microbial life in soil communities. Many upland soil communities have shown a relatively high C flux through the pentose phosphate (PP) or the Entner-Doudoroff (ED) pathway, thought to be related to oxidative damage control. We tested the hypothesis that the metabolic organization of the central C metabolic network differed between two ecosystems, an anoxic marsh soil and oxic upland soil, and would be affected by altering oxygen concentrations. We expected there to be high PP/ED pathway activity under high oxygen concentrations and in oxic soils and low PP/ED activity in reduced oxygen concentrations and in marsh soil. Although we found high PP/ED activity in the upland soil and low activity in the marsh soil, lowering the oxygen concentration for the upland soil did not reduce the relative PP/ED pathway activity as hypothesized, nor did increasing the oxygen concentration in the marsh soil increase the PP/ED pathway activity. We speculate that the high PP/ED activity in the upland soil, even when exposed to low oxygen concentrations, was related to a high demand for NADPH for biosynthesis, thus reflecting higher microbial growth rates in C-rich soils than in C-poor sediments. Further studies are needed to explain the observed metabolic diversity among soil ecosystems and determine whether it is related to microbial growth rates.IMPORTANCEWe observed that the organization of the central carbon (C) metabolic processes differed between oxic and anoxic soil. However, we also found that the pentose phosphate pathway/Entner-Doudoroff (PP/ED) pathway activity remained high after reducing the oxygen concentration for the upland soil and did not increase in response to an increase in oxygen concentration in the marsh soil. These observations contradicted the hypothesis that oxidative stress is a main driver for high PP/ED activity in soil communities. We suggest that the high PP/ED activity and NADPH production reflect higher anabolic activities and growth rates in the upland soil compared to the anaerobic marsh soil. A greater understanding of the molecular and biochemical processes in soil communities is needed to develop a mechanistic perspective on microbial activities and their relationship to soil C and nutrient cycling. Such an increased mechanistic perspective is ecologically relevant, given that the central carbon metabolic network is intimately tied to the energy metabolism of microbes, the efficiency of new microbial biomass production, and soil organic matter formation.

Towards a Communication Ecology in the Life of Rural Senior Citizens: How Rural Public Spaces Influence Community Engagement

The dilemma of weak participation and non-participation of rural communities is a universal topic of global development. The rural public space is an important field for local residents to interact, communicate, and engage with each other, and is an important place for the sustainable development of rural areas. However, previous studies have neglected to understand the intrinsic connection between rural public space and community participation from the perspective of community communication ecology. Based on the concept of age-friendly communities, this study’s fieldwork in rural Shanghai, China, using the methodology of grounded theory, found that physical, social, and psychological factors all have an impact on community engagement among rural residents. Specifically, environmental quality, facility support, community networks, social participation, call to action, place attachment, spatial perception, and self-transformation are identified as the core elements that significantly influence community engagement among rural residents. This study further reveals that the multiple factors influencing community engagement among rural residents are complex and interdependent rather than operating independently. Spatial support, communicative triggers, and symbolic identification, respectively, operate at the technological level (physical–social factors), social level (social–psychological factors), and discursive level (psychological–physical factors) to promote community engagement among older adults in Chinese rural areas. Through this research, we hope to further the realization of rural civic engagement and the sustainability of local communities and to provide scholarly insights into the promotion of more equitable community life.

Biodiesel production from baobab seed oil and its potential to improve livelihood of rural communities in arid and semiarid regions of Africa

Biodiesel production from baobab seed oil and its potential to improve livelihood of rural communities in arid and semiarid regions of Africa

Land use intensification causes the spatial contraction of woody-plant based ecosystem services in southwestern Ethiopia

Integrating biodiversity conservation and food production is vital, particularly in the tropics where many landscapes are highly biodiverse, and where people directly depend on local ecosystems services that are linked to woody vegetation. Thus, it is important to understand how woody vegetation and the benefits associated with it could change under different land-use scenarios. Using a comprehensive, interdisciplinary study in southwestern Ethiopia, we modeled current and future availability of woody plant-based ecosystem services under four scenarios of landscape change. Land-use scenarios with intensified food or cash crop cultivation would lead to the contraction of woody-plant based ecosystem services from farmland to forest patches, increasing pressure on remaining forest patches. This raises questions about the viability of conventional intensification combined with land sparing—where conservation and production are separated—as a viable strategy for conservation in tropical landscapes where woody-plant based ecosystem services are vital to the lives of local communities.

A Study on Medicinal Plants Diversification and Their Role on Livelihood Development in the Nilgiris

Tribal economy and development are mainly dependent on the Forest and Non wood forest products. The non wood forest products are mainly the products and services availed from the other those timber products of the forest and the fringed areas. Traditionally these forest products are having direct impact on the livelihood of the tribal communities. This study has been designed to analyse the role of the Non wood forest products on the livelihood of the tribal communities in the Tamil Nadu State, India. Three of the major tribal communities in the Nilgiris Hills, Kolli hills and the Kalvarayan Hills were taken for the study. The key informant method was followed and 80 informants were selected to collect the primary data. An exhaustive list of the available Medicinal Plants was also inventorised. The contribution of the livelihood through the products ranged from 50-10 % based upon the collection and marketing of the products.

Perception of Locals on Multiple Contributions of NTFPs to the Livelihoods of Forest Fringe Communities in Ghana

Forest-dwelling residents frequently collect non-timber forest products (NTFPs) for various reasons, such as food, medicine, firewood, religious reasons, or handicrafts. This study examines the multiple benefits derived from NTFPs and how they contribute to the livelihoods of Ghanaian communities to alleviate poverty. Resources and services provided by NTFPs have an essential role in providing economic, nutritional, medicinal, cultural, and environmental benefits. This study examines the diverse range of NTFPs locals collect, such as chewing sticks, games, herbs, honey, leaves, mushrooms, pestles, raffia and palms, snails, and straws. In addition to serving different purposes, these NTFPs contribute to income generation, food security, health care, cultural practices, and the protection of the environment. A qualitative research approach was used in this study to collect data through semi-structured interviews and focus groups with members on multiple collections of NTFPs and their multiple benefits. We interviewed 732 residents regarding their multiple NTFPs and their potential to improve the livelihood of the locals. The data for the study were analysed using descriptive statistics. As a result of the survey, the frequency and percentages of responses were analysed for each indicator related to multiple values of NTFPs. Both males and females collected a list of NTFPs during the survey. Regarding NTFPs used for sale, 275 were reported, representing 37.57% of the total. In addition to emphasising the importance of sustainable management practices and equitable distribution of benefits, the study explores the multiple benefits of NTFPs for poverty alleviation in Ghanaian communities. It is essential to ensure the conservation of forest ecosystems and promote inclusive policies to harness the potential of NTFPs and maximise their positive impact on livelihoods. NTFPs provide multiple benefits for Ghanaian communities, including income, nutrition, healthcare, cultural preservation, and environmental sustainability. To promote sustainable development, it is imperative to understand the role of NTFPs and implement appropriate strategies.

“I wish I knew more than my 15-year-old”: Mother and early adolescent reflections on information communication technologies

ABSTRACT This qualitative exploratory study used thematic and dyadic analyses to examine the perceptions of nine White mother-early adolescent dyads regarding information communication technology (ICT) use. Using a general thematic analysis, three major themes presented in the data. Mother and early adolescents focused on ideas for good use of ICT, suggestions for parent education, and ideas about safety including a request for trust from early adolescent participants. Data were also analyzed using a dyadic technique to examine overlaps and differences in mother-early adolescent perceptions. The discussion is presented using a symbolic interactionist lens to explore shared and differing meanings related to ICT use between mothers and early adolescents. Suggestions for community and family life educators are included.

Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining Impact on Soil and Agriculture: Evidence from Upper Denkyira East Municipality, Ghana

The gold mining industry in Ghana has made a substantial contribution to the country's economic growth by generating diverse employment opportunities, both directly and indirectly, in mining communities. This has the potential to mitigate poverty and improve the quality of life for individuals and households in rural areas, where climate change is having a disproportionate impact on small-scale farmers. Nevertheless, it is crucial to recognize that this sector has also resulted in detrimental environmental impacts. A total 150 key informants in Upper Denkyira East Municipality, comprising representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency, the Forestry Commission, the Mineral Commission, and other stakeholders, were interviewed using standardize questionnaire to ascertain the impact of mining on the soil, agriculture and the environment. The study also employed inductively coupled plasma to assess the concentration of heavy metals in soils at a small-scale mining site. The soil analyses indicated high concentrations of heavy metals, such as mercury, arsenic, nickel, zinc, and iron. The Weighted Average Index, which was used to assess the impact of mining, revealed that communities face challenges such as deforestation, low crop yields, water pollution, land tenure issues, and a high cost of living. The study's analyses of measures to address small scale mining challenges revealed that alternative livelihood, law enforcement, training and support, and access to mining concessions were perceived as suitable for addressing artisanal and small scale mining. The study concluded that stricter mining regulations, promoting sustainable mining practices, and providing comprehensive training to miners on environmental protection and land reclamation can help mitigate the negative impacts of artisanal and small-scale mining. Additionally, supporting alternative means of livelihood for mining communities, such as agriculture or eco-tourism, can reduce reliance on mining and promote sustainable development.

Predicting wheat yield gap and its determinants combining remote sensing, machine learning, and survey approaches in rainfed Mediterranean regions of Morocco

Wheat plays a crucial role in Morocco’s food security, economic stability, and livelihoods of farming communities. Assessing key vegetation indices (as yield predictors), along with understanding potential yield, yield gap, and major determinants for this gap at regional and national scales, is vital for improving food security with resilience in variable climatic conditions. Analysing the yield gap and its causes during drought and optimal weather conditions can reduce crop failure risks and enhance productivity specially in variable rainfed production systems. This study aimed to develop scalable methodology to predict field- and landscape-level yield and yield gaps for wheat and their underlying causes examplifying Morocco’s rainfed production environment combining remote sensing, machine learning, and ground information. By analysing six vegetation indices (EVI2, CGVI, MSR, NDVI, OSAVI, and RVI) derived from Sentinel-2 satellite imagery (10 m resolution) over three successive growing seasons (2018–2019, 2019–2020, and 2020–2021), the study employed advanced vegetation index models for accurate prediction of wheat yields and yield gaps at plot and on a larger regional scale within the Rabat-Sale-Kenitra region. To identify the determinants of yield gap, climate and soil datasets were merged with crop management information and the random forest model was fine-tuned and assessed for each season and cumulatively. The findings highlighted that RVI, GCVI, and NDVI vegetation indices were particularly effective in predicting wheat yields, showing the highest R2 and the lowest prediction errors (RMSE). Such predictive methodologies are crucial for policymakers to proactively plan and mitigate risk minimization and adaption plans at regional and national levels. The models predicted rainfed potential yields of 5.99, 1.53, and 4.66 t ha−1, with corresponding yield gap of 3.38, 0.73, and 1.58 t ha−1 for the seasons of 2018/2019 (favorable); 2019/2020 (drought) and 2020/2021 (favorable), respectively. Across three periods, critical factors determining yield include soil moisture, total rainfall during the crop growing period, evapotranspiration, and soil texture and carbon content. To minimize drought risks and maximize benefits during variable rainfall conditions, it is essential to implement pre-season drought forecasts, customize seeding dates based on soil moisture, adopt technologies that enhance soil moisture retention, and utilize climate-adapted farming practices in the semi-arid and arid rainfed regions.

Gaushala Safety – Automation of Cattle Livestock

Automation of Cattle Livestock is a ground-breaking initiative aimed at transforming cattle care and management. In a nation where cattle play a pivotal role in rural economies, the absence of accessible veterinary care, delayed vaccinations, and disease outbreaks pose significant threats to cattle health and the livelihoods of dependent communities. This project offers a comprehensive solution by harnessing cutting-edge technology. It includes a robust cattle information management system, utilizing speech recognition for data input to accommodate diverse user literacy levels..The core feature is an intelligent vaccination scheduler, creating personalized vaccination plans based on individual cattle profiles, and sending timely reminders to owners. Additionally, it employs advanced image processing to detect early signs of disease. The project ensures accessibility through voice-enabled interaction and simplifies the registration of new cattle and along with that it includes the cattle tracker and shed cleaning. By enhancing cattle health, increasing accessibility, and promoting sustainable cattle rearing, Automation of Cattle Livestock seeks to empower farmers, protect livestock, and drive rural community development. This project represents a pioneering step toward a brighter future for both cattle and their caretakers in India.

Mengukir Masa Depan Bangsa: Pendidikan Pancasila Sebagai Upaya Memperkuat Karakter Generasi Muda Indonesia

Pancasila Education as an Effort to Strengthen the Character of Indonesia's Young Generation Pancasila education is a compulsory subject at all levels of education in Indonesia. Today's younger generation has lost moral values and character. This study aims to determine the role of Pancasila education as an effort to strengthen the character of the younger generation. This research uses a qualitative approach through the literature review method. Data collection is carried out through secondary data sourced from scientific articles. Data analysis is carried out qualitatively consisting of data reduction, data presentation, and conclusions. The results of data analysis show that the younger generation needs to be repositioned in behaving by leaving the hedonic culture and outside culture that is not in accordance with the values of Pancasila. In addition, they must also actively ground Pancasila in community life. The active role of the younger generation, including students, in maintaining and implementing the values of Pancasila is key in carving out the future of the nation. Students as the frontline in struggle, renewal, and nation building are expected to be able to take advantage of the opportunity to forge themselves and learn to become individuals who have the character of nationalism, creativity, and the spirit of service to the community, nation, and state

Missing persons and infrastructures of search and identification

People go missing all over the world, but the reasons for disappearances are enormously diverse. Some people are intentionally disappeared by the state: totalitarian and military governments as well as various paramilitary and criminal organizations have used enforced disappearances as a tactic to control the population and create submissive citizens or subjects though fear and insecurity. Both civilians and soldiers disappear invariably in the chaotic circumstances of war and armed conflict. Some people disappear in natural catastrophes or fatal accidents; some disappear of their own free will. Whatever the reason for disappearance, it disturbs the everyday flow of life in families and communities, and in many places, it creates anomalies for modern state bureaucracies. Unaccounted-for absences give rise to search practices, but the circumstances of search are radically different in different places and different contexts of disappearance. One way to approach these differences is to analyse the infrastructures of search in each site. I am especially interested in the entanglement of the local with the global, and of the spatial reach of search infrastructures . Moreover, I consider the significance of the material affordances of some infrastructural forms, especially of the DNA as the key tool for identification. I make some observations on how the entanglements of local and transnational investment and the material affordances of the techniques allow some of the disappeared to be found and identified, while others stay more ‘disappearable’ (Laakkonen 2022).

A Symphony of Three Thousand Voices. Interview with Sumita Ghose, Founder of the Social Enterprise rangSutra

“People of Impact” is the name of the column where we publish inspiring stories about people who have made significant changes in the lives of communities, regions, and even countries. In this issue, we want to introduce you to Sumita Ghose, an Indian woman entrepreneur whose social business unites artisan investors and collaborates with the world’s largest corporations. Sumita has been honored with the highest award granted by the President of India for her contributions to women’s rights and empowerment.

Technologies to embrace the sun: solarpunk-based project as an exploration for a just energy transition

The national implementation of electricity generation projects directly threatens the livelihoods of local and Indigenous communities in Latin America. Therefore, it is crucial to search for solutions to energy supply considering local needs and cosmologies. This article focuses on micro-energy production in rural settlements on the Colombian Caribbean coast. The aim is to provide insights into the relationship between energy, technology, and ancestrality through the lens of solarpunk storytelling. To explore this theme, we present the «tech to embrace the sun» initiative as a case study to co-design and imagine desirable futures by the local community of Selvatorium, in La Guajira. The results consist of the development of seven future ancestral stories co-written by community members and guests, two guides to build two prototypes, and a fanzine. The project concludes with empirical and theoretical insights for development studies about sustainable energy futures.

Attitudes toward code-switching among bilingual Jordanians: a comparative study

Abstract This study employs a quantitative analytical descriptive approach to explore the attitudes of two Jordanian communities toward code-switching (CS). The first community lives in the United States (a migrant community), while the second community resides in Jordan (a native community). Data were collected using an online questionnaire and the attitudes of these two communities were compared with respect to their sense of identity, religion, communication efficiency, and audience design. The study also examines the influence of self-perceived language proficiency, the direction of CS, and gender on the positivity or negativity of individuals’ attitudes toward CS. The study pays particular attention to the use of CS as a polite or impolite behavior in different contexts. The findings of this study indicate that both groups have relatively similar attitudes toward CS in terms of communication efficiency, topic, audience design, and politeness. However, the migrant community has an overall more positive attitude toward CS in terms of religion and sense of identity, particularly when language proficiency is taken into account.

Social Cohesion of Kampong Lorong Buangkok: Community Amidst Singaporean Industrialization

This paper aims to conduct a comprehensive examination of the Malay community living in Kampong Lorong Buangkok, the last village in Singapore's Hougang area. This community is intriguing due to its preservation of customs, traditions, and a simplified economic system amidst Singapore's rapid industrial development. The study utilizes in-depth interviews with current residents of Kampong Lorong Buangkok and reveals their steadfast commitment to upholding Malay traditions as a social foundation. Residents persist in maintaining a traditional economy designed to promote unity and support productive community life. This economic system functions to enhance social unity, assisting the residents in coping with Singapore's high cost of living. The robust social cohesion within the community has enabled Kampong Lorong Buangkok to persist despite political tensions and the encroaching pressures of rapid Singaporean industrialization that jeopardize the village's survival.

The dynamic interactive influence of community identity, being accepted by others, and life satisfaction among relocated residents for poverty alleviation in China

In China, the ultimate goal of the relocation for poverty alleviation (RPA) policy is to ensure that the relocated poor smoothly relocate, stably resettle, and become wealthier. With the completion of smooth relocation, the next crucial task is to guarantee that residents relocated for poverty alleviation (RRPA) maintain stability. Given that RRPA's life satisfaction affects their willingness and behavior to stabilize their placement. This study aims to explore whether being accepted by others and community identity are related to RRPA life satisfaction, and whether these three variables have a mutual impact over time. Based on the social identity and need to belong theories, a model of the interactive influence of being acceptance accepted by others, community identity, and life satisfaction was constructed. Using a random intercept cross-lagged panel model (RI-CLPM), 383 RRPA datasets were analyzed. The results showed that being accepted by others significantly predicted life satisfaction for RRPA. Being accepted by others and community identity, as well as community identity and life satisfaction, can predict each other on cross-lagged paths. This suggests that resorting to community identity as an intermediate variable, being accepted by others and life satisfaction may form a virtuous cycle over time.

Religious Reformation and Ethical Transformation in the Hatata of Zera Yaeqob and Welda Heywat

Abstract The Hatatas of Zera Yaeqob and Welda Heywat are seen as the precursors of a written Ethiopian philosophy. Commentators on these texts such as Claude Sumner and Teodros Kiros argue that, one is able to locate the Cartesian mode of subjectivity in the Hatatas. Against this, this paper argues that the form of subjectivity found in the Hatatas of Zera Yaeqob and Welda Heywat is not fully demythologized and dwells in the background of religious authority, and therefore should not be identified with the Cartesian conception of the human subject. Alternatively, I argue that the goal of the Hatatas is attaining religious reformation. The form of subjectivity found in the Hatatas is founded on communal life and religious experience. The paper concludes that the Hatatas of Zera Yaeqob and Welda Heywat should be read as a call for religious renewal and ethical transformation.

An aquaculture risk model to understand the causes and consequences of Atlantic Salmon mass mortality events: A review

AbstractMass mortality events (MMEs) are defined as the death of large numbers of fish over a short period of time. These events can result in catastrophic losses to the Atlantic salmon aquaculture industry and the local economy. However, they are challenging to understand because of their relative infrequency and the high number of potential factors involved. As a result, the causes and consequences of MMEs in Atlantic salmon aquaculture are not well understood. In this study, we developed a structural network of causal risk factors for MMEs for aquaculture and the communities that depend on Atlantic salmon aquaculture. Using the Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) technique, we analysed the causes of Atlantic salmon mass mortalities due to environmental (abiotic), biological (biotic) and nutritional risk factors. The consequences of MMEs were also assessed for the occupational health and safety of aquaculture workers and their implications for the livelihoods of local communities. This structural network deepens our understanding of MMEs and points to management actions and interventions that can help mitigate mass mortalities. MMEs are typically not the result of a single risk factor but are caused by the systematic interaction of risk factors related to the environment, fish diseases, feeding/nutrition and cage‐site management. Results also indicate that considerations of health and safety risk, through pre‐ and post‐event risk assessments, may help to minimize workplace injuries and eliminate potential risks of human fatalities. Company and government‐assisted socio‐economic measures could help mitigate post‐mass mortality impacts. Appropriate and timely management actions may help reduce MMEs at Atlantic salmon cage sites and minimize the physical and social vulnerabilities of workers and local communities.

Livelihood vulnerability of coastal communities in context of the climate change: A index-based assessment

The livelihoods of coastal communities in Bangladesh are being significantly impacted by climate change and natural hazards, primarily due to their heavy reliance on climate-sensitive natural resources. This study assesses the vulnerability of coastal communities in Bangladesh using two approaches: the Livelihood Vulnerability Index (LVI) and the LVI-IPCC approach. Primary data obtained from household surveys were used to calculate the vulnerability indices, avoiding reliance on secondary data and climate models. The results show that Dhulasar and Dalbuganj unions are extremely vulnerable, with livelihood strategies, water, natural hazards and climate variability, and health being the major contributing factors. The exposure to natural hazards and climate variability is highest in Dhulasar and Dalbuganj, while Lata Chapli union exhibits the lowest adaptive capacity. Interestingly, the LVI and LVI-IPCC approaches yield opposite results, with Dalbuganj being extremely vulnerable and Lata Chapli being the least vulnerable. Exposure to natural hazards and climate variability, sensitivity to health, food and nutrition, water, and land, and adaptive capacity in terms of socio-demographic factors and livelihood strategies were found to influence vulnerability. The study suggests that policy measures should focus on reducing sensitivity, improving adaptive capacity, and addressing the specific needs of marginalized groups in coastal communities. Enhancing socio-demographic profiles, social networks, and diversification of livelihood activities are recommended for reducing vulnerability. Further research is needed to better understand and address the impacts of climate variability and change on coastal livelihood systems.